Rep. Ramon Romero

Maddy summaryHB 300 increases the maximum Texas Armed Services Scholarship to $30,000 per academic year (up from $15,000), capping at the average cost of attendance at Texas colleges. It expands appointment authority, allowing the governor and lieutenant governor to each appoint two students annually, and each state senator or representative to appoint one student, with deadlines set for September 30. The bill directly affects Texas students enrolled in ROTC or similar military commissioning programs at Texas colleges, requiring proof of program enrollment or acceptance into the Texas State Guard. These changes are effective immediately after the bill was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 102 requires Texas public universities to offer early registration for courses and programs to students in military-related programs who are in good standing. Specifically, it mandates this for students enrolled in ROTC programs, cadet corps (including at senior military colleges), or maritime academies. The law, effective for the 2026 spring semester, obligates institutions to provide this early registration opportunity on the same basis as other designated student groups. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will develop rules to implement this requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 33, titled the "Uvalde Strong Act," requires Texas public and charter schools to comply with additional safety and operational requirements related to active shooter incidents and emergencies. It amends the Education Code to mandate adherence to existing rules covering student data systems, criminal background checks, discipline practices, health/safety protocols, bullying prevention, and staff reporting obligations. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools by expanding their compliance obligations under current safety frameworks. It does not create new rules but requires schools to follow more existing provisions related to emergency preparedness and student safety. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2818 establishes an Artificial Intelligence Division within the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) to guide state government use of artificial intelligence. The division must assist state agencies in implementing generative AI for projects like modernizing legacy computer systems and other appropriate initiatives, requiring cost analysis reports to document time and resource savings compared to traditional methods. It mandates that the division coordinate all AI activities to avoid duplication and maximize efficiency across state resources. The division can hire staff directly or partner with vendors (with vendors completing most work) for AI projects, as outlined in the amended Government Code.

Maddy summaryHB 107 establishes a statewide sickle cell disease registry under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 52B. It requires hospitals and other treatment facilities to submit patient data to the state health department, creating a centralized database of all sickle cell disease cases in Texas. The registry must include case records and additional relevant information to aid in treatment and research, with strict confidentiality protections for patients under federal privacy laws. The department will analyze the data, publish findings for medical professionals and the public, and submit annual reports to the legislature. This affects all Texas healthcare facilities treating sickle cell disease patients and ensures patient data is securely managed for medical advancement.

Maddy summaryHJR 7 proposes a constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of Texas' state sales and use tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund. It would require that this dedicated revenue be allocated exclusively to water infrastructure projects, with new rules allowing temporary suspension during declared disasters. The bill would amend the state constitution to establish this dedicated funding stream, replacing current flexible allocation methods for water fund money. This proposal was reported adversely by the Senate Finance Committee with a 14-0 vote against in May 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 810) formally congratulates labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta on her 95th birthday. It recognizes her decades of work co-founding the United Farm Workers, leading the 1965-1970 grape strike, and advocating for farmworkers' rights, immigration reform, and women's representation. The Texas House of Representatives adopted the resolution as a formal expression of respect for her lifelong contributions to social justice. (Procedural resolution; no policy changes enacted.)

Maddy summarySB 2938 requires counties to verify and include an inmate’s veteran status in documentation when transferring defendants to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Specifically, it amends the transfer process to mandate that counties provide a "copy of the veteran status of the defendant as determined by an investigation" under existing state law (Section 511.009(a)(17)(A) of the Government Code). This affects county courts and correctional facilities handling inmate transfers, ensuring veteran status is formally documented during the transfer process. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on record-keeping requirements, not on altering veteran benefits or eligibility. It became law on September 1, 2025, after passing unanimously in both chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 2768 creates a state-recognized information technology apprenticeship credential through public junior colleges and technical institutes to address shortages in Texas state IT workforce positions. The program requires curriculum approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, develops skills for senior-level IT roles in state agencies, and mandates a one-year apprenticeship with state agencies, major IT projects, or regional security centers. It allows an associate degree combined with this credential to substitute for a bachelor's degree in state career ladder programs. The bill, signed into law on May 29, 2025, takes effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting public colleges offering the credential and state IT workers seeking career advancement.

Maddy summarySB 1080 requires Texas licensing authorities to issue either a full occupational license or a provisional license (valid for six months) to otherwise qualified applicants who have been convicted of certain offenses, instead of automatically denying their applications. The provisional license begins on the date an applicant is released from prison if they were incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This bill directly affects individuals with criminal convictions seeking occupational licenses (such as for nursing, contracting, or other licensed professions) who meet all other qualification requirements. It aims to reduce barriers to employment by providing a temporary licensing pathway for these applicants.